Mark Littlewood appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss the effects of high taxes on the tobacco market.
Mr Littlewood stated that although tax is not the only incentive to smuggle, it is a significant one. With tax on premium brand cigarettes at approximately 1000%, that gives smugglers a huge incentive to bring cigarettes to the market at a much cheaper price. If a hugely popular product is taxed at such a high rate, then we are highly likely to see a large black market.
Listen to the full programme here. [2] Segment begins at 1:07.43.